No Versus network for DirecTV customers

If you’re like me and subscribe to DirecTV, then chances are you’ve already heard about the beef between the nation’s largest satellite provider and the Comcast-owned Versusnetwork.

If not, here it is in a nutshell: DirecTV dropped the Versus network, a sports-centric programming hub for everything from mixed martial arts to hunting to college football, after the two sides failed to reach a new contract on Aug. 31.

And Hill Country-based phone and cable firm GVTC Communicationswants to let folks know the Versus network still is available as part of its basic lineup. GVTC has issued a press release saying its contract with Versus runs until 2011.

“While DirecTV goes through this dispute, GVTC remains committed to giving our customers the channels they enjoy,” Mike Gross, GVTC’s product manager-cable TV said in a statement. “We’re giving customers access to Versus’ popular sports content and all the UT football games we can.”

For the record, Time Warner Cable and AT&T also offer the Versus network. And DirectTV’s satellite competition, DISH Network, has announced it is offering Versus free for three months.